Sunderland City Hall project set to support 2,000 jobs generates £30m for local economy

The creation of a new public sector hub in the heart of Sunderland has put over £30m back into the local economy according to new figures.

Construction firm Bowmer + Kirkland has unveiled that the City Hall development has generated £30.59m for the city’s economy through working with local suppliers and SMEs.

Situated on Riverside Sunderland, the new 190,000 sq ft public sector hub will accommodate over 2,000 staff.

Bowmer + Kirkland senior project manager Paul Anderson commented: “We are determined to ensure that the construction of City Hall reaps as many rewards as possible for local businesses and the local community too, and we’re really proud to be achieving that, with more than £30m spent with local suppliers, the lion’s share being SMEs.

“We have been able to add huge social value to this project, taking people out of long-term unemployment, supporting apprenticeships, engaging with young people to inspire them about careers available to them, and minimising the carbon footprint of this development through considerate choices - from recycling to avoiding single use plastics on site.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the local economy with this project, that will also transform the way that residents access support services when City Hall opens later this year.”

Ellen Thinnesen, chair of Sunderland Business Partnership and chief executive of Education Partnership North East which includes Sunderland College, added: “It’s fantastic to see the impact that this project has had on Sunderland’s economy already, with six months to go until completion.

“The investment in the next generation and in people who were long term unemployed is so commendable too. It is through real focused efforts to connect our communities into projects such as this that we can inspire them and ensure that the city sees the maximum benefit of every pound spent.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →